Police: Assault call leads to solved burglary in Lake City

Trio of brothers arrested

Two men who were sexually harassing female workers at the Lake City Mall were later caught, arrested and several thousand dollars’ worth of stolen computer equipment was recovered during the investigation, according to Lake City police.

Police said sometime between Dec. 3 and Dec. 4, Morse Chiropractic, located at 444 S.W. Alachua Ave., was burglarized. The office manager came into work and discovered the office had been vandalized, as well as three other locked offices. Police said more than $5,000 worth of computer equipment had been stolen.

The burglars also discharged fire extinguishers around the office, kicked in several locked doors and smashed several computer monitors.

About 7:30 p.m. Monday, officers were called to a disturbance at the Lake City Mall by The Shoe Dept. employees. While working their evening shift, two female employees were sexually harassed by two men, later identified as Jeffrey Lewis, 19, and his brother, Sean Lewis, 21, police said.

The store manager approached the Lewis brothers and asked them about their remarks and then asked them to leave the store. The manager told officers, upon asking the two to leave, Jeffrey Lewis began cursing at him and threatened to "kick his butt ... and punch him right in the face." The manager then called police.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers spotted the two men at a nearby car wash.

Sean Lewis fled on foot when officers approached. Jeffrey Lewis made no attempt to flee and was detained by FHP. Officers Tasered Sean Lewis in the back, ending the chase. Charges were filed against Jeffrey Lewis and he was released on scene. Sean Lewis was arrested on charges of assault and resisting without violence, and booked at the Columbia County Detention Center on $2,000 bond.

Inside a bag Sean Lewis was carrying, police found several laptops, an iPad and other property. Authorities said these items matched the items stolen during the Morse Chiropractic burglary just three days earlier.

The brothers were arrested on charges of burglary to a dwelling, criminal mischief, dealing in stolen property and larceny with a $30,000 bond.

While being transported to the jail, their younger brother, James Lewis, 16, became outraged about their arrest and turn and ran after the patrol car, yelling and cursing at the officer, police said. They said the officer ordered Lewis out of the middle of the road, as he was obstructing traffic. Police said Lewis refused and then threatened the officer saying, "You have one coming and that I will kill you, so watch your back," and then ran away.

Officers found him and arrested him on charges of assault on an officer, threatening a law enforcement officer and resisting without violence.

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